An exploratory analysis of comprehensive geriatric assessment results and overall survival in 233 consecutive elderly cancer patients

Abstract

9504 Background: Performance status (PS) is the main clinical parameter used by most oncologists to assess the ability of elderly cancer patients to tolerate chemotherapy and estimate prognosis. The results of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for elderly cancer patients were analyzed to investigate the impact of each CGA functional, physical, cognitive, and affective domain on overall survival in relation to performance status. Methods: CGA was used for 233 consecutive elderly cancer patients aged 70 and above. CGA tools included the Katz index of daily activities independence (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), geriatric depression scale (GDS), Charlson comorbidity risk index, get up and go test, and mini-nutritional assessment. Geriatric syndrome is defined as any high risk of falls, depression, dementia, increased functional dependence, or malnutrition. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale was used to grade PS. Cancer type and stage were also analyzed. Log rank test was used to compare overall survival and hazard ratio (HR) derived using Cox regression method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to assess impact of ECOG status, presence of geriatric syndrome, stage of disease and cancer type on overall survival. Results: All 233 patients were included in the analysis, median age 77 (70 - 93), all had solid tumors and predominant tumors comprising 79% of diagnoses were colorectal, lung and breast, 50% had advanced metastatic disease. ECOG grades 2,3,4 (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.14 - 0.55), dependent IADL status (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11 - 0.83), presence of geriatric syndrome (HR 0.42 95% CI 0.26 - 0.69), poor cognition (HR 0.53 95% CI 0.36 - 0.77), or advanced disease (HR 0.30 95% CI 0.14 - 0.65) was associated with inferior overall survival in univariate analysis. Only poor ECOG status, presence of a geriatric syndrome and advanced disease predicted adversely for overall survival in multivariate analysis. Poor cognition (MMSE score <24) in those with borderline ECOG 2 status was associated with poorer survival (HR 0.38 95% CI 0.33 - 0.90). Conclusions: Utility of CGA will improve the assessment of the elderly cancer patient. No significant financial relationships to disclose.